Thank you to everyone who continues to support this campaign. Your signatures, comments, and shared experiences are making a real impact — and today’s events highlight exactly why this fight is necessary.
🌧️ Severe flooding on the Sandford–Strathaven route this morning
A resident captured video footage showing the footpath transformed into a stream of flowing water. The entire walkway was submerged, leaving no safe route for anyone walking to school.
In these conditions, children would be forced:
Into deep surface water, soaked from the knees down
Closer to the 60mph traffic, forced onto the verge
To walk through spray, mud, and debris
To start their school day cold, drenched, and exhausted
This is not a one-off situation — this path regularly floods in heavy rain and is known to ice over in winter. Yet these conditions are not considered at all in South Lanarkshire Council’s assessment.
How can a child be “ready to learn” when they arrive at school already freezing, wet, and worn out?
How can this be classed as a “safe walking route”?
🗞️ Campaign Featured in the Glasgow Times
Our concerns have now reached national press.
A huge thank you to Ava Whyte at the Glasgow Times for covering the reality of this route and the council’s refusal to reassess it.
📄 Read the full article here:
This exposure strengthens our position and brings wider attention to the unacceptable risks forced onto Sandford children.
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Where we are now
The route continues to flood, ice, and deteriorate.
The council refuses further assessment and insists the matter is “concluded”.
Our complaint is now formally lodged with the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO).
A walkthrough of the route is planned with MSP Màiri McAllan and Cllr Elise Frame, as SLC refuse to attend.
More evidence is being collected, and we will keep providing updates.
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Please continue to share this petition
Every signature strengthens our case.
Every voice adds pressure.
Every update proves why this fight matters.
🔗 Petition link: https://www.change.org/SandfordSafety
Thank you for standing with us.
We will not stop until this route is made safe — or school transport is reinstated.
#SandfordSafety #SchoolTransport #ChildSafety #SouthLanarkshireCouncil #Equality #FloodingRisk #GlasgowTimes